Nigeria, Jan. 8 -- Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, are mourning the death of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, who died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old.

The death was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Adichie's communications team and signed by Omawumi Ogbe. The statement said:

"We're deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege's twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday, 7th of January 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old."

The family did not disclose the nature of the illness or the location of the child's death.

The statement added:

"The family is devastate...